"I just wanted to express how happy I am with the service that we have received from your staff. They have been so courteous and accommodating and this has been mentioned by all of my team. Please could you pass on my personal thanks to them."

Sheena B – Office Manager, Major Training Centre in Kent

"Working in partnership with Ara for many years, provides me with confidence that we are compliant with L8 as they cover all relevant aspects of the ACoP. I have found them informative, ever cooperative, super flexible and swift in their responses and would add that they are one of our top performing contractors. We will be working with them on air sampling as well as water management to provide another service back to our learners and staff."

Craig N, Estates Manager at a Kent College and chair of KAFEC Estates Managers Network

"We have worked with ARA Environmental for over a decade. They write the ACOP L8 risk assessments, carry out the monthly temperature monitoring and various associated work including tank cleansing. The directors have always been available to offer advice and answer queries of a technical nature. The staff are personable and reliable. We are routinely required to go to three quotes and ARA have always been competitive."

Mike L, Safety and Compliance Manager at a private school in the West Kent area.

"The service they provide is second to none and added to their speed of response provides us with a cost effective and compliant service. They are an integral part of my team and I would highly recommend them."

"Thanks for another year of excellent service."

"Always available for informal attention and guidance. I am confident that I can contact Ara Environmental for free and impartial advice."

Charles S, Contracts Manager, Facilities Management Company South East England

"Ara Environmental always deliver a prompt, friendly service and have been extremely professional in managing our water treatment requirements. Their staff are always available to resolve any query quickly and are very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend them for any water management needs."

Ben H, Health and Safety Manager, Manufacturing Company, Rochester

"Ara Environmental has been our Legionella Control contractor since 2011, they have provided us with an extremely professional service, their attention to detail and communications has been first class, it's a pleasure to work with them and I would certainly recommend them to others."

Dale H, Engineering Manager, Major Logistics Authority in Kent

"Major refurbishment work was well planned, executed on time and on budget. Consumate professionals."

Bruce M, Facilities Manager, Academy North Kent

Legionella Risk Assessment

Legionella control, based on a Legionella risk assessment, is the key aspect of the ‘Responsible Persons’ duties regarding the supply of wholesome water and L8 compliance.

There are many elements to a comprehensive Legionellosis risk assessment but the following are essential to achieve L8 compliance: –

Continuing Compliance

Following on from Legionella risk assessments, L8 compliance is achieved through provision of the services outlined below. As members of the Legionella Control Association, Ara Environmental Ltd offers a complete package of measures designed to ensure these responsibilities are fully met and that the risk of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak is managed:-

Legionella risk assessments;

Cleaning and chlorination to the standards in ACOP L8 HSG 274 and PD 855468;

Legionellosis management – The regulation of all related diseases including Pontiac Fever;

Bacterial sampling & analysis at a UKAS laboratory;

Water systems monitoring;

Pool monitoring

Chemical Supply;

Test Equipment Supply;

Infrastructure Refurbishment;

Legionnaires’ Disease Training;

Supply of Site Log Books

Legislation

There is plenty of legislation concerning environmental hazards from the Management of Health and Safety at Work 1999, through COSHH and RIDDOR. However, these can be vague as to exactly what specific actions should be taken. The one document that sums up the requirements, and is used as the basis for Legionella risk assessments, is ‘Legionnaires’ Disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems’ – Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L8 (Fourth edition 2013).

Between 200 and 250 people die in Britain each year from Legionnaires’ disease although it is accepted that this is an under estimate as the symptoms are often mistaken for flu.

Management measures are generally straightforward and involve repair to the infrastructure and temperature monitoring. In more difficult cases additional governance measures such as low level biocide dosing can be employed.

Feedback and evaluation, usually through bacterial sampling, enables oversight of the effectiveness of the programme

Legionella Risk Assessment – Frequently Asked Questions

What is Legionella?

Legionella is a bacterial which can cause a range of illnesses such as Legionellosis, which is the name given to a range of illnesses caused by legionella bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by inhaling tiny water droplets which are contaminated with legionella bacteria. It is often fatal, but is preventable.

How do you get legionella in water systems?

Legionella bacteria are commonly found in natural water systems such as rivers and lakes where their numbers are usually low and they pose little risk. They grow over a temperature range of 20°C to 45°C. Below this temperature they survive dormant and as the temperature rises above 50°C they are progressively killed off and will not survive long at temperatures above 60°C. Their ideal growth temperature is around human body temperature, 37°C!

Whilst legionella are widely found in the natural environment the risk comes when they contaminate man-made water systems, entering at low levels in the incoming water supply or in air-borne aerosols. Many man-made water systems not only provide the ideal environment for legionella to multiply but also involve water sprays which can release dangerous aerosols into the atmosphere.

Legionella Risk Assessments

Legionella is a risk for almost all water systems found within buildings and therefore must be adequately and effectively controlled. There is a legal obligation to carry out a legionella risk assessment of the associated water services in any work place or business. This includes the owners and operators of all commercial buildings including; social housing, Facilities Management, Hotels, Stadiums, Healthcare, Education, Schools, Colleges and many others, have a statutory duty to control the risk of legionella bacteria in water systems.

LEGIONELLA RISK TRAINING

Legionella training is an essential and mandatory component of any legionella risk management programme. Our course provides our customers with a fantastic opportunity to educate themselves about the risks of legionella. The course will provide you with detailed information on the subject of Legionella and its causes, including the current legislative requirements. Even if you have attended a legionella risk training course it is recommended that you renew this training every 2 years.

The course material is immensely focused around BS 8580-1:2019 Water Quality – Risk Assessments for Legionella Control – Code of Practice (the highest industry standard).

You will understand the procedure to follow throughout the risk assessment.

You will learn how a risk assessment template might be drawn up or developed

Is a Legionella Risk Assessment a legal requirement?

Yes, there is a legal duty for landlords to assess and control the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria, but Health and Safety law does not require landlords to produce a Legionnaires testing certificate.

How often should you have a Legionella risk assessment?

The risk assessment should be reviewed at least every 2 years. It should also be reviewed any time there is a significant change such as if you have added to or modified your water systems.